From Mariotto to the Turkey bench, in a few years or in the short long span of a wonderful dream. Gaetano Daniele Salerno, with his eyes shining, perspicacity and olive complexion, was the other evening next to Turkey’s coach, Vincenzo Montella, as “tercuman” (i.e. interpreter) in the friendly match against the Azzurri. The 32-year-old polyglot and citizen of the world has roots in the charming hamlet of Bitonto: «Actually, I was born in Milan, my father is from Puglia, from Mariotto to be precise. After the first six years in Lombardy, we moved to dad’s family and stayed for seven years. At the end of middle school, I moved to Turkey with my mother and from that moment a whole different path began, a huge change of life. I attended high school in Istanbul at an Italian school: speaking both languages, my mother wanted me to have a good command of them, and so I started doing translations from one language to another.” Yes, but what about football? «I got there thanks to God, as happens to those who are not recommended. In that period, coach Mancini had left Galatasaray and there were rumors of Prandelli’s probable arrival. So, friends, knowing my bilingual nature, suggested that I send my CV to the company. I located the email address of a manager on the internet and wrote. The next day, to my great surprise, they called me and subjected me to an interview at the stadium. After that, we went to the club headquarters and the sporting director Cenk Ergün examined me, the goalkeeping coach was Claudio Taffaril. In short, he has no idea how great my emotion was, catapulted as I was into the most important club in Turkey in terms of history and ambitions. In the meantime, I had also “trained” my English. The following day, they informed me of the hiring. I believe that my courage was rewarded, as well as my ability to translate simultaneously between different linguistic expressions and, above all, the help of the divine hand.” The Mariottan-Milan continues the emotional story: «In short, suddenly, I found myself with such awe among the greatest Turkish footballers, but also Felipe Melo and Muslera. I learned to look them in the eyes and not be afraid. That year was exciting because Gala won the Super Lig, cup and super cup, to the delight of my mother, the first Giallorossi fan. Later, I moved to a rich club in the second division of that country, Denizlispor; I reached Prandelli in Genoa, the rossoblu side, I returned to Türkiye. At Adana Demirspor I even went to the airport to welcome Vincenzo Montella, a cheerful and empathetic technician who transmits a lot of energy. With him we qualified for the Conference League for the first time, and I continued to collaborate even when Kluivert arrived.” Salierno’s destiny is bright and can only become even more exciting, in view of the next commitments: «And to think that I was about to leave the world of football, when the coach from Pomigliano d’Arco categorically wanted me next to him when he was called to take on the role of technical commissioner of the national team. It is always a pleasure to work with him and his technical staff, serious people of excellent quality. The assistant coach is Daniele Russo who practically breathes football. Then there is the athletic trainer, Professor Pierpaolo Paolino, an immense professional. And Massimo Crivellaro, one of the strongest match analysts in the world. Thus, we created a close-knit group, playing a record-breaking qualifying group for the European Championships, even beating Croatia at home.”
